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Occupy Toronto: an inside look at logistics

The site of Occupy TO operates like a small village. Here's a look at logistics.

The Band Shell acts as the central meeting point of Occupy Toronto in St James Park. (DAVID COOPER / TORONTO STAR)

By Katie DaubsStaff Reporter

Wed., Oct. 19, 2011

The site of Occupy TO operates like a small village, but instead of built-in infrastructure, you have wiggling fingers, a sea of tents, and a desire to stay on the right side of public health authorities.

Here’s a look at how the Occupy TO site at St. James Park operates:

Bathrooms- 19 portable toilets are at the northwest side of the park, paid for by OPSEU, says a volunteer.

Jesse, wearing a small mask and spraying down a unit, takes the task of cleaning the facilities seriously. The toilets are a crucial element to Occupy Toronto’s success, he says.

“The cleaner they are, the longer we can stay,” he says, adding that he wants to make sure they can’t be shut down by public health authorities.

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Logistics tent — In the middle of the park, near the gazebo where the main assemblies are held, is the nerve centre of the entire operation. This is where materials like duct tape are distributed, and where people sign up for “tent shares” and marshal duties. There is a donation box and several walkie-talkies. Occupy Toronto is divided into committees (food committee, legal committee, medical committee) and the logistics committee makes sure they have the supplies they need.

Food — On the west side of the park you’ll find one of the busiest hubs of Occupy TO, with peanut butter sandwiches, fruit and vegetables, and every night, a hot dinner. There are no ovens at the park, so preparation of hot meals is done in a commercial kitchen off site. Food donations come in from farmer’s markets (Sorauren, Trinity Bellwoods, Wychwood Barns) and the general public. Volunteers who prepare sandwiches wear gloves, and two sinks are on hand to wash dishes in accordance with the “soap, rinse, bleach” mantra, says volunteer Jonas Spring. All the food that isn’t ready to serve is prepared for the nightly hot meal — usually a stew, casserole, or root vegetable dish. More hot meals would be “awesome,” Spring says, encouraging people to drop off dishes. But no meat — there is no refrigeration, so 99 per cent of what they serve is vegetarian or vegan.

Medical tent — two tents near Jarvis St. are the designated medical area of Occupy TO. Medical school students, doctors, nurses and paramedics volunteer and the area is staffed 24 hours a day. They provide basic care, and mostly deal with minor cuts and abrasions. If anyone needs serious medical attention, they ensure they get to a hospital. They could use more blankets, cold packs, and compression bandages.

Info tent — The info and welcome area has a map, and is staffed by a volunteer who will answer questions about anything, from food, shelter, to scheduling.

Legal tent — This area is manned by volunteers, mostly law students and social justice advocates, who act as liaisons for people who might need legal assistance. They pass out pocket-size flyers about what to do in case of an arrest at a demonstration, but do not give legal advice. They act as a go between for protestors and lawyers.

Gazebo — There is always a crowd, and usually a guitar around this area. This is where general assemblies are held.

Media tent — This tent has a free internet connection, and a team of volunteers working to answer reporter’s questions. They also maintain a strong social media presence, posting pictures and videos to twitter and Facebook. This makes sure their message is heard and “gets passed the bias” of mainstream coverage, volunteer Matt Devlin said. “They can see CBC, CTV, but they can see our side too,” he says.

Library — Books are traded and donated here. A mix of politics and fiction, the books are there for volunteers to help pass the time, or for education.

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